Some Saints Prey (Madeline Donovan Mysteries Book 4)

by Madison Kent

  "When we returned to shore, there was a boy, he looked so young, I wondered what he was doing out so late without his parents.

  "He was sitting on the dock crying. When Jean approached him, he said he recognized him as one of the orphan boys who visited his house. He knew him well; his name was Charles.

  "When Jean questioned him, he broke down and told him about what Corinne had meant for him to do. He was to place explosives on the boat that was set to go off at approximately eight thirty. Jean found it an incredible story, and, at first, did not believe it possible that his wife would do such a thing. But then, Charles took us to where he hid the explosives."

  Her father added, "The poor boy said he loved Jean, and that he loved Mrs. St. Fleur also. He felt he could never repay them for their kind treatment. He had always done what she asked without question, and even though she explained why it was necessary, the boy knew he could not do it.

  "He didn't intend to tell Jean at first and was planning to run away, but he knew Jean's life was in danger. If he failed, he knew someone else would not.

  "He waited until we returned to tell us. He was so afraid that we would harm him in some way, that when we didn't, he wept all the more.

  "I can only hope that the courts are lenient with the boy. I know I am willing to testify on his behalf. Jean fell apart and began to tell us of the activities in the house. He said it was all over now, and he may as well make a clean breast of things.

  "Those dear young children were indoctrinated into something that was beyond their emotional or mental capabilities to resist. They carried out Corinne's wishes as if they were their own."

  Jonathan then said, "Jean wanted to go straight to Inspector Davis, but the pieces began to fall together for me, and I felt that part of the plan was to assure you were left vulnerable. I thought she might attempt to harm you. We all agreed that we should first go to Montgomery House straight away."

  Madeline said, "I don't know what might have happened if Fitz did not come to my rescue. You may have found me in a grave six feet under, and you might never have even found my body."

  She went on to explain what happened. During the conversation, her father buried his hands in his face and shook his head. He then stood, poured himself a bourbon, and gulped it down. Madeline had never seen her father behave like that before, and she walked over to him, and said, "But we are all fine now. Her plot to destroy us did not work."

  She continued, "There is so much to explain to you. I think we must throw a dinner party as we did after the conclusion of the Harrison case. I would like to invite Matthew, Austin, and Oliver to be here as well as all the families that fell victim to Corinne's maniacal actions."

  Inspector Davis had secured his prisoners in the carriage and now walked into the drawing room.

  He said, "Madeline, I was a blind, old, stubborn man―maybe I ain't fit for this job after all. She had me convinced, like everyone else, that the things she did were for the cause we all believed in. But I never knew it included murder. I thought so highly of her, known her all my life; that's why I didn't listen to what you had to say.

  "I hope you will accept my apology."

  Madeline shook his hand and said, "It is a tragedy, not just the deaths, but the fact that so many people in Florida believe that they should leave the Union.

  "I'm so sorry you feel that way."

  "All I can say, Miss, is that you're not a Southerner. If you were, you would understand. Being a Yank, you don't know what it was like to lose the war. Your side prevailed, as well as your way of life. I reckon you don't hear stories in your family about the day your homes burned to the ground, and your women raped. I could go on, but I think you know what I mean."

  "You're right, Inspector, I suppose there will be an impasse between the North and the South for many years to come."

  "Yes, Miss, Yes."

  By now, Edgar and Emily had returned to view the chaos in their home. Emily collapsed into a chair when told why Inspector Davis was there. Edgar had a brandy and then left to walk the grounds, without saying anything to anyone. The look of rage on his face told them everything.

  Dr. Donovan said to Madeline, "Come upstairs, and I will give you an injection. The morphine will calm you, and we won't have to worry about the addiction effects like that of opium. You will be safe."

  "Thank you, Father. It will be a welcome relief. I think that Fitz may also need your help."

  "Yes, I will see to him after you."

  When Madeline returned to the drawing room, she felt so much better, she was able to sit with Jonathan and Hugh and discuss the events of the evening. They toasted the young orphan and Fitz whose actions saved their lives.

  They spent the next few days preparing for the dinner that coming Saturday.

  Chapter Nineteen

  A City Undone

  A reporter came to interview Madeline and her friends about the events. However, she gave them few details as she wished to tell her full account of what happened to the families first before the entire city became abreast of it.

  The newspapers headlines splashed Corinne St. Fleur's name on the front page in bold letters. The papers reported that Washington might seek indictments on those who participated in the underground. Even her friend, Hugh, whose profession was a solicitor, could not predict the outcome.

  He said, "How do you prosecute the vast number of people involved in this? The subterfuge extends throughout the entire state of Florida.

  "As Inspector Davis was also complicit in these crimes, I assume the authorities will come from another city to detain and question him."

  The information gathered from the newspapers was from the mouths of babes―Corinne's babes. The orphanage was inundated with reporters from throughout the state, as well as from across the country. Jonathan was now one of those reporters who spent the week interviewing as many of the boys as he could.

  At noon on Saturday, the three ate a light lunch on the veranda.

  Jonathan said, "They've secluded the young lad, Charles White, who was to plant the explosives. There are so many people that participated at the orphanage that the authorities directed that none of the them were able to leave the premises for the time being.

  "I was fortunate to be able to speak to Charlie as he asked for me. I will quote him on things he said to me, but I will not use his given name. There is a picture of him in today's news," he said as he folded the paper in his hand.

  "Although they committed crimes, those boys were victims of Corinne just as much as Jeffrey was."

  Madeline asked, "May I see it?"

  Opening the paper, she said, "Oh...it's him. The young boy I saw when I went into the forbidden area at the St. Fleur's estate. I drew a crude sketch, but I'm sure it's him. For one thing, he had those odd looking glasses, and I remember the flattened black hair."

  Jonathan said, "They're nothing more than a group of babes, ruled by a cruel master. I had forgotten to tell you about what Charlie told me during my interview about that night.

  Charlie said the reason Corinne loved having her gala events was to mask the noise when there were a large number of her orphans working in the house. The girl "Anna" he called out to when he saw you is one of Emma's cousins who, from time to time, brought the boys food and drinks, sometimes staying to talk with them. Charlie was fond of her, and thought it was her, but then later when Corinne found the pictures you dropped, Charlie told her what he saw. I'm sure it was then when she decided to deal with you in a more drastic measure."

  Hugh added, "With such a large-scale event, I imagine, whoever investigates this, will be forced to concentrate on the key people who facilitated this bazaar scheme.

  "I don't know the laws of the United States, but I'm sure the authorities will have to separate those who committed crimes such as murder or theft, from those who only passed paperwork."

  Jonathan said, "In my estimation, it will take years to unravel this, and a team of lawyers to determine what actions taken
constituted a crime against the government.

  "The Times approved my continued stay here, and now with pay. They were delighted that I stumbled across a story of this magnitude.

  "I think every major newspaper will send someone here. It isn't every day you discover a state in the Union has an entire underground coalition that wishes to secede."

  Madeline said, "Corinne planned this for so long, it was part of her every fiber. I don't think she realizes the severity of what she's done. She honestly felt she was at war, and that she justified the crimes she committed. I don't think anymore that she's insane. I think, when she was a child during the time of the Civil War, she witnessed horrible acts of violence and lived in a state of terror. Her mind was set then in retaliation, and when her beloved Father led the way, it sanctioned her wicked behavior.

  When her mother died, the was probably the breaking point for her. Nothing else mattered but returning the South to what she believed was its glorious past."

  The trio returned to the site on the grounds where Corinne and St. John accosted Madeline. They cordoned off the area to preserve the crime scene. She saw children trying to enter the grounds and knew it would draw curiosity seekers. Although, she thought, There is no doubt as to who the guilty parties are. The only thing that remains is deciding their punishment.

  They enjoyed an afternoon of horseback riding, and later settled at the gazebo for a round of alcoholic beverages. Madeline hoped an absinthe might calm her nervous state. She could see her gentlemen friends felt the same way.

  Hugh quipped, "I think I will return and have a bath before our guests arrive. I hope your father has enough smelling salts to go around. I imagine many a person will receive a shock when they hear your story."

  Madeline smiled, and said, "Yes, the Southern sensibility is not as hearty as that of the North. When Winnie and Odean learn it was their esteemed friend that had their great nephew killed, I think it might take them a long time to heal."

  At the request of Emily, Mrs. Blake prepared a sumptuous meal of lobster, shrimp, and lamb, with an array of vegetables, and a hearty tomato soup.

  Madeline thought that this feast was something for the eyes to take in but wondered if anyone would appreciate the culinary delight the cook prepared. She knew her emotional state would make enjoying the meal almost impossible.

  At dusk, the men of the house, including Fitz, were gathered outside in the courtyard to the back of the estate. Bourbon was the drink of choice this evening, and the men looked to have tall glasses of it in their hands.

  When she walked outside to greet them, they acted overly jubilant and avoided speaking about Corinne. She believed that like herself, the facts unfolding were difficult to digest.

  Edgar said, "Madeline, I can't tell you how shocked I am at the outcome of this investigation. I believe this is a serious wound to our city.

  "We closed our eyes to what was happening, and it took an outsider to open them. My behavior, at times, towards you was brusque and rude. I hope you will forgive a crusty Southern man who refused to see the truth."

  "There is no need for forgiveness. You and Emily are amongst the finest people I've ever had the pleasure to meet. I can't thank you enough for all you've done, including this wonderful dinner you consented to for those forever harmed by Mrs. St. Fleur's actions."

  He replied, "You are too kind. You will excuse me; I see our guests are arriving, and I would like to greet them properly. This dinner will be unlike we have ever had, and I hope never to have again."

  "Yes, we should all go in," she said.

  Jonathan, Hugh, and her father all looked at her with a sympathetic smile. She knew they empathized with Madeline and the task that lay before her. Only Fitz seemed tickled about going to dinner, and said, "The city has had its nose in the air for too long. It's long past the time when they receive their comeuppance for their arrogance."

  Madeline smiled, and took the arm of her new friend, as they walked back into the main house.

  Winnie and Odean were among the first to arrive. She hugged them, and it was evident, by their puffy, red eyes, how upset they were. Madeline was sure they spent time crying over the news about Corinne, their beloved friend. She thought, That will soon change when you find out the truth about her.

  Winnie said, "Madeline, this is tragic. I refuse to believe Corinne has acted in any way to be ashamed of, yet alone done something that would land her in jail. She is the pillar of our society, the light that we follow."

  "I understand. It's hurtful to discover dreadful things about people we love."

  Odean said, "Then you believe it to be true?"

  "After dinner, I will tell you everything I know, and you both may be the judge."

  The sisters, tightly holding each other's hands, walked away from her to greet the Armstrong family.

  Madeline thought, I wish Father could give them all a sedative before we begin.

  When Austin and Oliver arrived, she warmly embraced them, saying, "I'm so delighted you're here, and that Corinne is no longer a threat to any of us."

  But what she thought was, Thank God that I was wrong about the two of you.

  Oliver said, "I had the feeling sometimes that you thought I had something to do with these murders."

  She grimaced as if he had read her mind. Oliver was the most analytical person she had ever met, and once again proved that she was unable to hide from him.

  Madeline squeezed his hand and said, "Oliver, how could you say such a thing. You are very dear to me, and I have great admiration for you."

  Now, she could honestly say that was true, as he was no longer a suspect. It was a relief to her to hold Oliver in a place of esteem again.

  He smiled, then replied, "Yes, well...I will take your word for that, but I think I know better."

  Madeline came the nearest to weeping when Jeffrey's parents arrived. She could barely look them in the eye, still feeling responsible in some way for his death. Jeffrey would remain someone she would think of with love for the rest of her life.

  Madeline was surprised when she saw Matthew walk in. She had not expected that he would accept her invitation. When he did not reply, she believed the friendship between them forever broken, because of the incident concerning the theft at the church.

  "Matthew, how good of you to come."

  "How good of you to ask me. After my rudeness at our last meeting, I was afraid I was no longer in your good graces. I am anxious to hear everything."

  "Now that we know what happened, I hope the tension between us will no longer exist.

  "We are about to go in. After dinner, I will tell all."

  The atmosphere at dinner was one of the dinner guests trying too hard to be jovial, tell witty stories, and acting as if it were more of a celebratory dinner than the sober event it was.

  After dinner, Madeline welcomed the guests and then began.

  "The events that have unfolded in the past week are of a nature that if I didn't experience them first hand, I would find it difficult to believe.

  "What you are about to hear are the facts concerning the disappearance of Clifford Alder and Lonnie Armstrong, and their subsequent deaths. Of course, I will also tell you about the unfortunate incident that took Jeffrey Lang's life.

  "There are a myriad of other stories that are thread through this; that form a web so dense that it was nearly impossible for anyone to detect the truth.

  "As you may well know, Corinne St. Fleur, is at the heart of everything that happened. She was the queen in the hive that directed her drones to carry out whatever task she needed doing, and that, unfortunately, included murder.

  "Let me say this, what I am about to tell you is based on information that I either witnessed or heard from Corinne and Robert St. John― and from facts gathered by my friend, Jonathan Franks, from the orphans who worked at her estate.

  "I suppose I must start at the beginning. Corinne's family home, as well as that of most of her family and friends, was destroyed
during the Civil War. We all are aware of the terrible crimes committed during Sherman's march. It wasn't just Atlanta that felt the wrath of the North. Without adequate food and shelter, and the suffering that war brought, her mother perished, and her father went mad with rage. Filled with bitterness, he passed that on to his daughter, and they devised a plan that the South would one day rise again. The only way they thought that possible was if their state was no longer in the Union. So she and her father and a few of her father's friends began there "someday" plan that one day Florida would secede from the United States.

  "They set their sites on the St. Fleur family once Corinne was of marrying age. She was beautiful, intelligent and became a brilliant manipulator of people. Her charisma and staunch belief in what she was doing drew many people to her cause.

  "However, her target, the fabulously wealthy Jean St. Fleur, was already married, and happily so. Her chance came when she endeared herself to the family, even offering to be the mid-wife for Lynrose at the birth of her twins. Lynrose had a difficult pregnancy, and when she died, it surprised no one. But she didn't die of natural causes, Corinne tried to suffocate her, and due to her frailness, she sustained a heart attack after the attack. She then suffocated one of her twins, Storm. Once again, the baby was so frail and sickly at birth, that no one suspected anything. She said she had intended to kill Emma, but then worried that Jean might not need her. With a newborn to care for, she knew he would require her help. She chose the twin to live that she thought the most beautiful and the heartiest."

  There was a commotion, gasps, and women taking their handkerchiefs out and wiping their eyes.

  "Do you need a moment, or should I go on?"

  Winnie said, "No, please, go on. We must know now. We must have an explanation for why she did these terrible things."